Source: PA
Pardew relishing derby debut
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is expecting an explosive introduction to the Tyne-Wear derby.
The 49-year-old will send his side out against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday knowing the Black Cats will be fighting tooth and nail to avenge their 5-1 humiliation at St James' Park in October.
It will be his first taste of one of English football's traditional rivalries, but he is confident he knows exactly what to expect.
"It is certainly the biggest game I will have as Newcastle United manager this season," said Pardew. "I have seen many Tyne-Wear derbies before and I know what they are - explosive.
"I have played in London derbies and last year I was at Southampton when we played Portsmouth for the first time in a few years. That was quite ferocious.
"However, I know that this will be on a much, much larger scale than that. I am sure of that. I am looking forward to it and I know the players are. They are determined to bounce back from the weekend and get a result."
